A Moray four-year-old who overcame a high-risk childhood cancer has been chosen to front a summer charity appeal.
Eileidh Paterson, from Forres, is championing the Solving Kids’ Cancer group’s “Be a Bucketeer” campaign, which encourages volunteers to carry around collection buckets to raise funds in the fight against the illness.
An image of the youngster, sitting on the shoulders of her sister, Cerys, and holding two purple buckets, will be used to spur fundraising efforts.
Eileidh’s mother, Gail Paterson, said her outgoing daughter was “thrilled” when asked to be part of the appeal.
Earlier this week, Ms Paterson lent her backing to a national move to have landmark buildings illuminated in gold to raise awareness of childhood cancer.
She said it would be “fitting” if structures in Moray, such as Elgin’s Landshut Bridge or the Duke of Gordon monument on the town’s Lady Hill, were part of the new initiative.
Eileidh was diagnosed with high-risk neuroblastoma in May, 2014.
She spent much of the following year at the Royal Aberdeen Children’s Hospital, undergoing rigorous treatments to combat the condition.
She was given the all-clear last summer, but the condition has a high relapse rate and she is now taking part in a pioneering drugs course which involves making trips to America.
Eileidh’s place on the drugs course was secured following a huge fundraising campaign – which generated £125,000 in little more than two months.
People inspired to become a “bucketeer” can find out more at www.solvingkidscancer.org.uk/hold-a-bucket-collection/.